Todd Brakke
@toddsfoolery.bsky.social
Publishing junkie, movie nerd, Detroit and MI sports fan, former games writer and caster of pods, and all-around curmudgeon. Default state ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Reposted by Todd Brakke
The Washington Post—for which I wrote editorials for nearly a decade—has closed its Kyiv bureau.
@lawfaremedia.org has not—and we will not.
We now employ more people in Kyiv than the Washington Post.
Let me tell you about what we have done in Ukraine over the past year and why we are not leaving
@lawfaremedia.org has not—and we will not.
We now employ more people in Kyiv than the Washington Post.
Let me tell you about what we have done in Ukraine over the past year and why we are not leaving
February 6, 2026 at 6:55 PM
The Washington Post—for which I wrote editorials for nearly a decade—has closed its Kyiv bureau.
@lawfaremedia.org has not—and we will not.
We now employ more people in Kyiv than the Washington Post.
Let me tell you about what we have done in Ukraine over the past year and why we are not leaving
@lawfaremedia.org has not—and we will not.
We now employ more people in Kyiv than the Washington Post.
Let me tell you about what we have done in Ukraine over the past year and why we are not leaving
It's always tempting for me to default to Airborne Toxic Event's Songs of God and Whiskey, but more recently it's hooking some Dido directly into my veins (esp. Still on My Mind). Plus, it's got a song with this literal vibe textually in the lyrics ("Some Kind of Love").
February 5, 2026 at 10:13 PM
It's always tempting for me to default to Airborne Toxic Event's Songs of God and Whiskey, but more recently it's hooking some Dido directly into my veins (esp. Still on My Mind). Plus, it's got a song with this literal vibe textually in the lyrics ("Some Kind of Love").
Reposted by Todd Brakke
Nothing to see here; just the division that funds (or not) all of us in the environmental sciences, including atmosphere, ocean, ice, Earth, climate, hydrology, whatever.
February 5, 2026 at 9:25 PM
Nothing to see here; just the division that funds (or not) all of us in the environmental sciences, including atmosphere, ocean, ice, Earth, climate, hydrology, whatever.
Reposted by Todd Brakke
“I haven’t been able to find any wind farms in China”
January 21, 2026 at 3:10 PM
“I haven’t been able to find any wind farms in China”
Reposted by Todd Brakke
America 2026 apnews.com/article/immi...
January 21, 2026 at 2:50 PM
America 2026 apnews.com/article/immi...
Reposted by Todd Brakke
This is the most astonishing graph of what the Trump regime has done to US science. They have destroyed the federal science workforce across the board. The negative impacts on Americans will be felt for generations, and the US might never be the same again.
www.nature.com/immersive/d4...
www.nature.com/immersive/d4...
January 20, 2026 at 10:53 PM
This is the most astonishing graph of what the Trump regime has done to US science. They have destroyed the federal science workforce across the board. The negative impacts on Americans will be felt for generations, and the US might never be the same again.
www.nature.com/immersive/d4...
www.nature.com/immersive/d4...
Reposted by Todd Brakke
As Homeland Security’s siege on Minneapolis enters its third week, locals are volunteering for patrol shifts, protesting in the streets, and keeping one another up to date in group texts.
Read more from @scottmeslow.bsky.social in Minneapolis:
Read more from @scottmeslow.bsky.social in Minneapolis:
It’s worse than it looks in Minneapolis
But locals are organizing to keep each other safe from ICE agents.
www.theverge.com
January 20, 2026 at 2:01 PM
As Homeland Security’s siege on Minneapolis enters its third week, locals are volunteering for patrol shifts, protesting in the streets, and keeping one another up to date in group texts.
Read more from @scottmeslow.bsky.social in Minneapolis:
Read more from @scottmeslow.bsky.social in Minneapolis:
Reposted by Todd Brakke
I’m seeing posts from people (outside of MN) about how US citizens should carry their passports.
And let me say that *inside* MN, we are calmly responding to requests with: “No, I don’t have to show you any documentation.”
Because that’s how you protect everyone, regardless of immigration status.
And let me say that *inside* MN, we are calmly responding to requests with: “No, I don’t have to show you any documentation.”
Because that’s how you protect everyone, regardless of immigration status.
January 16, 2026 at 12:17 AM
I’m seeing posts from people (outside of MN) about how US citizens should carry their passports.
And let me say that *inside* MN, we are calmly responding to requests with: “No, I don’t have to show you any documentation.”
Because that’s how you protect everyone, regardless of immigration status.
And let me say that *inside* MN, we are calmly responding to requests with: “No, I don’t have to show you any documentation.”
Because that’s how you protect everyone, regardless of immigration status.
Reposted by Todd Brakke
Consumers don’t know if their medications came from factories that used dirty water, were infested by insects or birds, or were outright banned from shipping drugs to the U.S.
Our new tool provides answers that the FDA won’t 👇
Our new tool provides answers that the FDA won’t 👇
Rx Inspector: ProPublica’s New Tool Provides Drug Info the FDA Won’t
We’ve launched a first-of-its-kind app to help you find out where your generic drugs come from and see the track records of the factories that made them.
www.propublica.org
January 15, 2026 at 2:00 PM
Consumers don’t know if their medications came from factories that used dirty water, were infested by insects or birds, or were outright banned from shipping drugs to the U.S.
Our new tool provides answers that the FDA won’t 👇
Our new tool provides answers that the FDA won’t 👇
Reposted by Todd Brakke
You are not in Minnesota. You are a US citizen. You think you are safe. You think your kids are safe.
You are wrong but don't realize it yet. We are not safe when secret police operate this way.
They trample rights freely and with great vigor.
bsky.app/profile/ziib...
You are wrong but don't realize it yet. We are not safe when secret police operate this way.
They trample rights freely and with great vigor.
bsky.app/profile/ziib...
just a reminder that we aren’t even seeing the worst of what is happening in Minneapolis from someone detailed at the Whipple Federal Building yesterday
January 13, 2026 at 1:44 PM
You are not in Minnesota. You are a US citizen. You think you are safe. You think your kids are safe.
You are wrong but don't realize it yet. We are not safe when secret police operate this way.
They trample rights freely and with great vigor.
bsky.app/profile/ziib...
You are wrong but don't realize it yet. We are not safe when secret police operate this way.
They trample rights freely and with great vigor.
bsky.app/profile/ziib...
Found out the hard way today that Star Trek DS9 DVD purchases off eBay are exceedingly likely to be counterfeit.
a man in a red and black uniform is making a funny face and saying `` not happy '' .
Alt: a man in a red and black uniform is making a funny face and saying `` not happy '' .
media.tenor.com
January 12, 2026 at 9:06 PM
Found out the hard way today that Star Trek DS9 DVD purchases off eBay are exceedingly likely to be counterfeit.
Reposted by Todd Brakke
As Trumpism and technology erode our shared understanding of the world, ordinary people in Minneapolis put their lives on their line to record the truth.
Read more from @sarahjeong.bsky.social: www.theverge.com/policy/85905...
Read more from @sarahjeong.bsky.social: www.theverge.com/policy/85905...
January 9, 2026 at 3:13 PM
As Trumpism and technology erode our shared understanding of the world, ordinary people in Minneapolis put their lives on their line to record the truth.
Read more from @sarahjeong.bsky.social: www.theverge.com/policy/85905...
Read more from @sarahjeong.bsky.social: www.theverge.com/policy/85905...
Reposted by Todd Brakke
Like those before it, that insane, vile DHS statement about the Minneapolis shooting isn't about covering anything up. It's performative lying.
They aren't trying to persuade anyone that their agents did nothing wrong. They're trying to project that their agents can get away with anything.
They aren't trying to persuade anyone that their agents did nothing wrong. They're trying to project that their agents can get away with anything.
January 7, 2026 at 9:47 PM
Like those before it, that insane, vile DHS statement about the Minneapolis shooting isn't about covering anything up. It's performative lying.
They aren't trying to persuade anyone that their agents did nothing wrong. They're trying to project that their agents can get away with anything.
They aren't trying to persuade anyone that their agents did nothing wrong. They're trying to project that their agents can get away with anything.
Reposted by Todd Brakke
My very smart colleagues are doing excellent coverage of the ICE shooting in Minneapolis today. I would urge you to follow along with local sources familiar with the area and the residents here.
Live: Mayor Frey blasts ICE in fiery response to fatal shooting
The mayor called for calm after a fatal shooting by an immigration agent in south Minneapolis. ICE said the agent acted defensively.
www.startribune.com
January 7, 2026 at 7:06 PM
My very smart colleagues are doing excellent coverage of the ICE shooting in Minneapolis today. I would urge you to follow along with local sources familiar with the area and the residents here.
Reposted by Todd Brakke
As people continue to ask Grok to explain itself, feel free to point them to this article: arstechnica.com/ai/2025/08/w...
Also this:
arstechnica.com/information-...
Also this:
arstechnica.com/information-...
Why it’s a mistake to ask chatbots about their mistakes
The tendency to ask AI bots to explain themselves reveals widespread misconceptions about how they work.
arstechnica.com
January 5, 2026 at 6:28 PM
As people continue to ask Grok to explain itself, feel free to point them to this article: arstechnica.com/ai/2025/08/w...
Also this:
arstechnica.com/information-...
Also this:
arstechnica.com/information-...
Reposted by Todd Brakke
It's way too early for me to be laughing this hard. 🤣
December 29, 2025 at 9:58 AM
It's way too early for me to be laughing this hard. 🤣
Reposted by Todd Brakke
Rob Reiner: I'm going to make a coming of age drama, a fantasy adventure story, a romantic comedy, a psychological horror and then a courtroom drama.
Us: Across your entire career?
Reiner: In a 6 year period.
Us: That sounds-
Reiner: -Each one will be arguably the best movie in that genre.
Us: Across your entire career?
Reiner: In a 6 year period.
Us: That sounds-
Reiner: -Each one will be arguably the best movie in that genre.
December 15, 2025 at 8:04 AM
Rob Reiner: I'm going to make a coming of age drama, a fantasy adventure story, a romantic comedy, a psychological horror and then a courtroom drama.
Us: Across your entire career?
Reiner: In a 6 year period.
Us: That sounds-
Reiner: -Each one will be arguably the best movie in that genre.
Us: Across your entire career?
Reiner: In a 6 year period.
Us: That sounds-
Reiner: -Each one will be arguably the best movie in that genre.
Moore is one of those guys that, as a fan, you look at and want to believe is a dude you can root for and the right fit for the job. And then you watch the actions and nervously tug on your collar a bit. Then he gets fired for *this*, and you're not happy he's out, but you're not not-happy about it.
BREAKING: Michigan fired head football coach Sherrone Moore due to violation of university policy, the school announced.
An investigation found Moore had engaged in an inappropriate relationship with a staff member, Michigan AD Warde Manuel said in a statement.
🔗
www.nytimes.com/athletic/687...
An investigation found Moore had engaged in an inappropriate relationship with a staff member, Michigan AD Warde Manuel said in a statement.
🔗
www.nytimes.com/athletic/687...
December 10, 2025 at 10:22 PM
Moore is one of those guys that, as a fan, you look at and want to believe is a dude you can root for and the right fit for the job. And then you watch the actions and nervously tug on your collar a bit. Then he gets fired for *this*, and you're not happy he's out, but you're not not-happy about it.
Reposted by Todd Brakke
Measles is one example of a virus that can linger in the body after an individual recovers from an initial infection. It can then re-emerge years later potentially fatal consequences.
@viraldrmaggie.bsky.social explains why and how this happens on Public Health On Call.
🔗 youtu.be/n0M3B2iP5Ug
@viraldrmaggie.bsky.social explains why and how this happens on Public Health On Call.
🔗 youtu.be/n0M3B2iP5Ug
December 9, 2025 at 6:15 PM
Measles is one example of a virus that can linger in the body after an individual recovers from an initial infection. It can then re-emerge years later potentially fatal consequences.
@viraldrmaggie.bsky.social explains why and how this happens on Public Health On Call.
🔗 youtu.be/n0M3B2iP5Ug
@viraldrmaggie.bsky.social explains why and how this happens on Public Health On Call.
🔗 youtu.be/n0M3B2iP5Ug
Reposted by Todd Brakke
"I'm way past that now. I've seen the light. You can trust me." -- the Scorpion
Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos now says they will keep Warner Bros’ theatrical model largely the same once they buy the studio.
“When this deal closes, we are in [the theatrical] business, and we’re going to do it… We didn’t buy this company to destroy that value”
“When this deal closes, we are in [the theatrical] business, and we’re going to do it… We didn’t buy this company to destroy that value”
December 8, 2025 at 9:57 PM
"I'm way past that now. I've seen the light. You can trust me." -- the Scorpion
Reposted by Todd Brakke
Imagine, if you will, that NASA updated its website to suggest gravity might not exist, prompting CalTech and CERN to release statements saying, "With great sadness, we can no longer recommend listening to NASA."
This is what's happening in epidemiology.
This is what's happening in epidemiology.
November 21, 2025 at 8:58 PM
Imagine, if you will, that NASA updated its website to suggest gravity might not exist, prompting CalTech and CERN to release statements saying, "With great sadness, we can no longer recommend listening to NASA."
This is what's happening in epidemiology.
This is what's happening in epidemiology.
Reposted by Todd Brakke
The Detroit Lions,
an elderly woman behind bars with the words mostly dead is slightly alive
Alt: an elderly woman behind bars with the words mostly dead is slightly alive
media.tenor.com
December 5, 2025 at 4:38 AM
The Detroit Lions,
Reposted by Todd Brakke
Speaking of House GOP conference, when a group is in danger they pull together. But at a certain point the Titanic isn't "in danger"; it's sinking. And at that moment, one person looks at another and says, "I never liked you, BITCH!" and throws a punch. This seems like where we are in the House.
December 4, 2025 at 8:40 PM
Speaking of House GOP conference, when a group is in danger they pull together. But at a certain point the Titanic isn't "in danger"; it's sinking. And at that moment, one person looks at another and says, "I never liked you, BITCH!" and throws a punch. This seems like where we are in the House.
Some people doomsday prep by stocking up on canned goods. It's become clear to me this year (and as I click Buy on a used collection of OG Star Trek soundtrack CDs), that my version is acquiring all the physical media I can and backing up the shit out of it.
a man wearing a green shirt is making a sad face .
Alt: a man wearing a green shirt is making a sad face .
media.tenor.com
December 4, 2025 at 7:58 PM
Some people doomsday prep by stocking up on canned goods. It's become clear to me this year (and as I click Buy on a used collection of OG Star Trek soundtrack CDs), that my version is acquiring all the physical media I can and backing up the shit out of it.
Reposted by Todd Brakke
"LLMs are simply tools that emulate the communicative function of language, not the separate and distinct cognitive process of thinking and reasoning, no matter how many data centers we build."
Is language the same as intelligence? The AI industry desperately needs it to be
The AI boom is based on a fundamental mistake.
www.theverge.com
November 25, 2025 at 2:04 PM
"LLMs are simply tools that emulate the communicative function of language, not the separate and distinct cognitive process of thinking and reasoning, no matter how many data centers we build."